Nissanka and Chandimal lead Sri Lanka's fightback in Gqeberha

Sri Lanka batters Pathum Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal stood firm against the Proteas' pace attack to take their side to tea on 103/1 on day two of the second Test in Gqeberha on Friday.

Returning from the break at George’s Park on 19 without loss, Dimuth Karunaratne (5) and Pathum Nissanka (2) were unbeaten in the middle as the visitors went toe to toe with the South African bowlers.

Karunaratne was the first wicket to tumble. Playing away from his body, all he could do was edge the ball into the waiting hands of Kyle Verreynne behind the stumps for Kagiso Rabada’s first wicket of the match.

Nissanka and Dinesh Chandimal picked up the baton to steer their side past 50 in pursuit of South Africa's first innings total of 358.

The pair used 73 deliveries to bring up their half-century partnership as Nissanka dispatched Marco Jansen to the boundary to bring up the milestone and take Sri Lanka into the 90s.

Nissanka, who was dropped by David Bedingham in the slips while on 22, made his way into the 40s shortly before the interval as the Proteas introduced spin from both ends as Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram went in search of wickets.